From: owner-joni-digest@smoe.org (JMDL Digest) To: joni-digest@smoe.org Subject: JMDL Digest V2014 #1740 Reply-To: joni@smoe.org Sender: owner-joni-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-joni-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk Unsubscribe:mailto:joni-digest-request@smoe.org?body=unsubscribe Website:http://jonimitchell.com JMDL Digest Wednesday, February 11 2015 Volume 2014 : Number 1740 ========== TOPICS and authors in this Digest: -------- Re: Star Maker Machinery ["Mark" ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 11 Feb 2015 19:22:34 -0800 From: "Mark" Subject: Re: Star Maker Machinery Kakki is certainly right about the couple of incidents that Joni describes in her 2012 interview with Malka Marom published in Malka's book 'Joni Mitchell in Her Own Words'. The behavior she describes would lead anyone to believe that the term 'cesspool' is an all too appropriate description of the music business. Joni also has the chance to explain in unedited, not-taken-out-of-context words what exactly her frustrations are, not so much about the lack of recognition she has received for her music as about the type of recognition and the manner in which it has been given. Whether she considers herself a feminist or not, I think a lot of her anger has to with some of the subtle and not so subtle ways that her work has been treated as somehow inferior when held up against the men who are considered to be her peers. And then there are Joni's comments about Billie Holiday. Many here will understand why I love what she had to say. Was it in an interview after winning 'Album of the Year' for 'Turbulent Indigo' that Joni made some comment about a slip up in how the whole Grammy contest is rigged? And I'm going to ask this even though it might not win me any friends and it's pretty much rhetorical. Why didn't President Obama tape a similar speech to have broadcast during the halftime at the Superbowl when Katy Perry performed? Welcome, Lynne Florio! I loved your post! Mark in Seattle - -----Original Message----- From: kbhla@fastmail.fm Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2015 5:11 PM To: joni@smoe.org Subject: Star Maker Machinery I've had some experience working with music industry executives and spending a few years in their offices (on various litigation matters) and found them to be a very rough and brutal bunch. In Malka's book, Joni describes some of the horrific things she witnessed over the years. My family had friends in the movie business back in the old Hollywood days, and while that industry could also be harsh at times, I don't think it holds a candle to the music business. I think the reason why the Laurel Canyon group did so well is that they had power in numbers and overwhelming talent and originality. They could not be ignored and all the kids wanting to hear them at the local clubs, etc., presented a wide sales demographic to be mined by the record companies. I don't see that kind of grass roots zeitgeist today that inevitably propels true original talent to the top. So now what we get as a consumer is mostly "manufactured." However, true talent still endures - maybe not by widespread recognition and mega sales of product, but by very successful live shows and tours all over the world. As for the Grammys, well their own music peers vote for who wins, and sometimes the nominations are quite deserved and fair. I am a member of the Grammy Museum and they mostly put on performances of artists that appeal to all of us here. The Grammy institution itself seems to still revere and recognize great music, even if the awards ceremony itself seems sometimes lacking. Kakki ------------------------------ End of JMDL Digest V2014 #1740 ****************************** ------- To post messages to the list,sendtojoni@smoe.org. Unsubscribe by clicking here: mailto:joni-digest-request@smoe.org?body=unsubscribe -------